Indian, Lankan artistes hold mega cultural show in Riyadh
Mohammed Rasooldeen in Riyadh
SAUDI ARABIA: Indo-Sri Lankan friendship was amply demonstrated at a
mega cultural show in Riyadh attended by Sri Lankan and Indian TV
artistes, Friday.
Saudi Arabia is a country where people of different nationalities
live in unity and work for a common goal, observed the world-renowned
Sri Lankan radio and TV host B. H. Abdul Hameed at a mega cultural
evening here, Friday.
Abdul Hameed, accompanied by the popular Indian Tamil cricket
commentator, Abdul Jabbar, enthralled the audience by staging a audio
play.
He also conducted a singing competition. More than 2,000 expatriates
comprising Indian and Sri Lankan families were present at the Indian
International School, (Girls section) to witness the colorful event
organized by the Tamil Fine Arts Recreation Group (TFARG). Indian
Ambassador M. O. H. Farook, Sri Lankan Ambassador A. M. J. Sadiq and
community leaders from Indian and Sri Lankan communities were also
present.
TFARG President Ahmed Imtiaz delivered the welcome address at the
inaugural ceremony. Abdul Cader,chairman of the Lucky Group of Companies
was the chief sponsor of the event.
"It gives me a great satisfaction to note that Indians and Sri
Lankans have got together under one banner," Abdul Hameed said, pointing
out that they both speak the same Tamil language which would further
strengthen the excellent Indo-Sri Lanka relations maintained by the two
countries.
He appealed to the students gathered at the function to make use of
their school days to learn good things. "Experience in school will mould
your future and it is going to decide the destiny of your life," he
stressed .
Responding to a request made by one of the speakers, Ambassador
Farook said he will try take up the matter of establishing a separate
ministry for Non-Resident Tamils with the concerned authorities provided
he gets a written representation from the Tamil-speaking Indian
community in the Kingdom. In 1992, the state of Kerala set up a separate
ministry for Non-Resident Keralite Affairs under its chief minister. It
was followed by the state of Andhra Pradesh subsequently.
Ambassador Sadiq said Tamil has been a bridge of communication and
understanding between the Tamil-speaking people of the two countries.
The speech-making ceremony was followed by a series of programmes
such as quiz competitions among students, competitions in singing and
miming and a radio -drama produced and presented by Abdul Jabbar. The
number dubbed as 'Tawbah ' - Forgiveness - rendered by Abdul Jabbar
moved the audience to tears.
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